Your first (and probably second and third) visit to The Netherlands will take you straight to Amsterdam. Simply because it’s easy (and cheap!) to get to Amsterdam and because the city is simply thrilling. If you’d like to explore Amsterdam beyond the famous sights and avoid the hordes and hordes of tourists that have been flowing into the city the last couple of years, this alternative guide to Amsterdam is for you.
Flights to Amsterdam
You can find cheap flights to Amsterdam from pretty much anywhere in the world. If you’re in Europe, you can find cheap flights to Amsterdam with (for example) EasyJet, Transavia or KLM.
Or take the train
If you are in Germany, Belgium, France or the UK catching the train to Amsterdam is a great alternative to flying. There are many direct connections between Amsterdam and many German and Belgian cities, as well as a direct high-speed connection between Paris and London. If you book your tickets three months in advance you’ll find the lowest fares.
From the airport to the city centre
Either take the train, which takes about 15 to 20 minutes, arrange for a transfer to your hotel or take a taxi. When choosing the latter, make sure you hop into an official taxi (waiting at the official taxi stands), to ensure not being ripped off by an illegal driver.
Getting around Amsterdam
Amsterdam by foot
It’s easy to get around by food in Amsterdam as the city is relatively compact and a lot of sights are within walking distance. Before you cross the streets, beware of trams and bikes.
Public transport in Amsterdam
Trams, metros and buses take you wherever you need to go in Amsterdam. You need an OV Chip Card, which you can charge as you go. This can be used for all public transport in The Netherlands. Alternatively, you can buy an I Amsterdam City Card which grants you access to public transportation, a canal cruise, Amsterdam’s top museums and attractions and day trips.
Amsterdam Hop on hop off bus
Are you a little pressed for time? Only visiting Amsterdam for a few days? Then the Hop on hop off bus is for you. With your ticket you can hop on a bus to take you along some famous sights, but also two hop on hop off canal boats, taking different routes, for a special perspective on the city.
Amsterdam by ferry
If you’d like to visit NDSM island or Amsterdam Noord you can take the (free!) ferries departing from the back of Amsterdam Central Station.
Amsterdam by canal boat
Some canals in the city are so narrow that you can only view them from the water by stepping onboard a canal boat. You can either choose to go on a standard canal cruise sightseeing or buy a canal boat hop on hop off ticket, so you can see all the sights in Amsterdam while using a canal boat as public transport.
Cycling in Amsterdam
For less than €10 a day you can rent a bike in Amsterdam. The rental bikes are very sturdy and come with locks (please, lock your bike!).
Amsterdam bike tours
- Amsterdam highlight tour
If you are pressed for time, but you’d like to see the best Amsterdam has to offer, this Amsterdam highlight tour by bike will be the perfect Dutch experience. In just 3 hours you will visit all the important sights of Amsterdam, as well as learning interesting background stories on the history of the city. - Amsterdam countryside tour
If you have a day to spare (or if the weather is very nice), book this bike tour to catch a beautiful glimpse of the Dutch countryside surrounding Amsterdam. After just 10 minutes of cycling out of the city centre, it will feel like Amsterdam is light-years away. You will take the ferry and see beautiful areas like IJsselmeer ad Durgerdam
Hotel not hotel
A unique experience for a great price. Stay in an old tram or funky looking rooms in one of Amsterdam hippest neighbourhoods.
Monet Garden Hotel
A brand new boutique hotel alongside a beautiful Amsterdam canal. Your stay won’t get more Dutch than this. The rooms are light, bright and comfortable.
Concious Hotel Amsterdam
A gorgeous hotel set in a beautiful historical building, with funky and spacious room… and it’s affordable too!
Wittenberg apartments
If you’re after a bit more space, these apartments are for you: spacious, traditional elements, set in a beautiful neighbourhood.
Houseboat in Amsterdam
Is there anything more authentic and exciting than staying on a houseboat in Amsterdam? Check out this beauty!
Lloyd Hotel
A real Amsterdam favourite, located in a stunning historical building. All rooms are decorated differently.
Read all about the best boutique hotels in Amsterdam
Top things to do in Amsterdam
Self Guided Walking Tour
If you’ve never been to Amsterdam and you’d like to see the highlights of the city as well as get a really good idea of the city’s layout, I highly recommend this self guided walking tour. While listening to the audio tour you’ll see the palace on Dam Squarem the beautiful canals, Oude Kerk and Rembrandthuis, as well as lesser known sights like Begijnhof and the mysterious Trippenhuis.
Rijksmuseum
Not only will you see the best art Holland has to offer, from the Middle Ages until the present day, including all those amazing Rembrandts, Van Goghs, Vermeers and Ruysdael’s, but a trip to the Rijksmuseum is like a walk through Dutch history, with amazing models of ships that used to sail the seven seas, fashion and a grand china collection. The Rijksmuseum is an absolute must-see and thousands of visitors, from Holland and abroad, come to visit this amazing museum every week.
Anne Frank house
It’s one of the saddest stories that came from The Netherlands, and unfortunately, maybe also the most famous one. Anne Frank moved to Amsterdam when she was just a little girl and she and her family were arrested by the Nazis in this house at Prinsengracht, where they had been in hiding for over 2 years. To visit the Anne Frank house isn’t only a tribute to a girl that never made it back from the concentration camps, but more like a tribute to murdered innocence anywhere in the world.
Van Gogh Museum
Rembrandt was a celebrity (albeit a poor and strange one) when he was alive and making art in the Golden Age. This can’t be said about Vincent van Gogh, who lived some two centuries later. He lived in the south of The Netherlands (Nuenen) and France for most of his difficult and unhappy life and his brilliance was only seen by his brother Theo, who bought Vincent’s paintings out of pitty. It’s hard to imagine while you walk through the Van Gogh Museum and see all those brilliant works. From the dark and gloomy farmers, he painted in Nuenen to the starry nights in France. Read more about Van Gogh Museum Amsterdam.
Stedelijk Museum
The excellent Stedelijk Museum houses the collection of postwar curator Willem Sandberg and you will be sure to see contemporary works by Picasso, Mondriaan, Gerrit Rietveld, Van Gogh, Matisse and Warhol. The Stedelijk Museum is an absolute delight.
Rembrandthuis
No Dutch painter speaks to the imagination as Rembrandt does. The magician with light and shadow puts a spell on you, whenever you see one of his works. When you’re in Amsterdam, visit the Rembrandthuis where the artist worked when he was commissioned his most famous works. You can see the studio where he painted the famous Night Watch. Also, read my article Follow the footsteps of Rembrandt in Amsterdam.
Fabrique des Lumières
The greatest works of art my the world most famous artists come to life at Fabrique des Lumières. The largest digital arts centre in The Netherlands surrounds you my the world’s most wellknown artworks and let you experience them in a whole new way. I highly recommend this.
H’ART Museum
h’ART is one of the newest museums in Amsterdam: a global art collective which shares the best pieces of top museums in the world, like the British Museum, Centre Pompidou and SAAM. Entrance is included in the I Amsterdam City Card.
NEMO Science Museum
When you visit Amsterdam with kids, NEMO Science Museum should be on your list for sure. The iconic building holds three floors of interactive exhibits which enables kids to learn all about the world around them. Though it makes science very accessible to adults as well.
Verzetsmuseum
The museum of Dutch resistance (Verzetsmuseum) brings the horrors of the German occupation during WWII back to life and tells the stories about the local resistance and collaboration with the Germans. There is also a section on the Japanese occupation of Dutch East India (now Indonesia). This museum is also interesting for kids, as there is a special section of the resistance seen through the eyes of four Dutch kids.
Albert Cuyp Market
With almost 300 stalls Albert Cuypmarkt is the city’s largest and busiest open-air market. The vendors sell everything from clothes and shoes to vegetables and cheese. Albert Cuyp is the perfect market to taste some Dutch delights like poffertjes, frites and stroopwafels. The cafés surrounding the market are perfect to relax and have a drink.
FOAM
Don’t walk past this pretty canal house, as inside resides an excellent photo gallery FOAM. The spaces are large and light, which makes for a nice wander through the different temporary exhibits of world-famous photographers.
Amsterdam off the beaten track
EYE
This gorgeous contemporary building resides on the banks of the IJ river and houses a film institute and a large cinema showing mostly art-house movies. However, if you have the chance, just go to EYE for a drink or lunch on the terrace or in the pretty restaurant for an amazing view over the Amsterdam skyline.
NDSM island
Take the free ferry to the peninsula that used to be the NDSM Wharf. This was once a shipyard, but it’s now an edgy and arty community, with cafés and restaurants in old sea containers and lots of street art. Hip festivals are often hosted on NDSM island.
Street art Museum STRAAT
Street art lovers head over to STRAAT, Amsterdam’s street art museum on NDSM Island. It hosts over 150 artworks by 130 well-known street artists, though you’ll discover some new talents as well. Most of the artwork has been made on site. This museum is a real treat if you’d like to discover a lesserknown side of Amsterdam.
Street art Amsterdam
If you’d like to see some interesting street art, it’s worth taking the Free Alternative Tour Amsterdam leading you through lesser-known parts of the city, showing you great murals and graffiti. Read more about street art in Amsterdam.
Amsterdam Lookout
The observation platform on top of the A’DAM building is one of the newest hotspots in town. You can easily reach the Lookout by taking the free ferry at the back of Central Station. From the lookout, you can try out the swings (eek!) or simply enjoy the amazing view over the city. Entrance to Amsterdam Lookout is free with the I Amsterdam City Card.
Begijnhof
Begijnhof is a quiet haven in the middle of the bustling city centre. This enclosed former convent dates back to the 14th century and is a gorgeous green courtyard surrounded by historical gabled buildings. You can find the Begijnhof just off Gedempte Begijnensloot.
Hortus Botanicus
Hortus Botanicus is another quiet haven in the busy city. This botanical garden has been here since 1683. Dutch merchant ships smuggled seeds and samples from their exotic destinations and nowadays over 4000 species can be found in this wonderful structure. The butterfly garden is amazing (and a big hit with kids).
Buiksloterdijk
At the back of Central Station, hop on the free ferry to Buiksloterdijk. Take your rental bike along, as you definitely want to visit the old Buikersloot neighbourhood, one of the most authentic and undiscovered sides of Amsterdam.
Once upon a time (seriously, back in the 1300’sor something) farmers would roam these shallow lands until the land was completely reclaimed and became part of Amsterdam. Since it was always a little separated from the city, by the river, it always kept a bit of a village feel and this is still very noticeable along the Buiksloterdijk. The cute half-timbered houses with Dutch gables are simply adorable.
Restaurants in Amsterdam
Tolhuistuin
Just after disembarking the ferry, you’ll stumble onto Tolhuistuin, the former canteen of Shell is now a fantastic cultural centre, often hosting great gigs and the restaurant and outdoor seating are excellent.
Café De Ceuvel
I love where my work leads me sometimes! I ended up at café De Ceuvel for a book launch, on a beautiful summer day. The café is the centre of a small alternative community, at the water’s edge. It’s colourful and romantic and the view over the water is very (very!) relaxing.
Pllek
This has to be my favourite restaurant in Amsterdam. Take the (free!) ferry from Central Station to NDSM Werf and you’ll soon see Pllek: a restaurant housed in a structure of old sea containers. In summer the little beach in front of the restaurant is the perfect place to view the Amsterdam skyline whilst sipping a local beer. When it’s colder, the fire inside will keep you warm. The menu changes every few weeks.
Brouwerij ‘t IJ
Breweries have been popping up all over Amsterdam, but Brouwerij ‘t IJ is probably the most well-known and since the brewery is set underneath a pretty windmill, it’s the perfect place to visit and sample some real Amsterdam beers. Take a tour around the brewery or sit outside admiring the fabulous view over the canal.
Bar Botanique
Bar Botanique is a bit of a tropical surprise in the heart of Amsterdam, with tropical plants and brightly coloured decor everywhere. All dishes are priced friendly and very tasty. Do try some of the Dutch beers and gins on the drinks menu.
InStock
A trendy and hip restaurant that hopes to finish food waste once and for all. Basically, at InStock you never know what you’re going to get, as the menu changes daily and is developed based on whatever harvest comes it. But trust me, the food is always surprising and tasty.
IJ-kantine
IJ-kantine is a modern en contemporary styled restaurant on NDSM Wharf and you’ll see it as soon as you disembark the free ferry. It doesn’t matter if you’re in the mood for breakfast, lunch or dinner: IJ-kantine serves amazing dishes all day. In summer the Fruits-de-Mer are to die for.
Rotterdam
At just one hour from Amsterdam, Rotterdam is culturally diverse, with amazing art, architecture and gastronomy. Read more
The Hague
The third city of The Netherlands has works of Vermeer, palaces and the beach! Worth a day trip for sure. Read more
Delft
Wander the world of Johannes Vermeer and visit this cute town full of cobbled streets and canals.
Read more
Zaanse Schans
The easiest way to say a huge bunch of traditional Dutch windmills from Amsterdam is to head to Zaanse Schans. Only 20 minutes by train! Read more
Utrecht
Utrecht is lovely and very Dutch, with winding canals, windmills in the city centre and cutting edge museum. Just within 30 minutes of Amsterdam. Read more
Muiden
Visit Amsterdam Castle (Muiderslot), Pampus Fortress and the historical town of Muiden. Take the Amsterdam Tourist ferry there. Read more
Edam
Want to visit a stunning traditional Dutch village and taste some real Dutch cheese? Edam is just a short bus ride from Amsterdam.
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Kinderdijk
Visit the unique UNESCO world heritage site of Kinderdijk, a beautiful landscape dotted with 19 traditional windmills.
Read more
Zandvoort
Hop on the train. Within 20 minutes you will arrive at Zandvoort (Amsterdam Beach) to enjoy a day at sea!
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